Improvement in dry-earth closets



wlLLlA'M H. GROVE.

Improvement in Dry-Earth Closets. N0. 114,434. atenjed May 2,1871.

nano oooouoond Onuuvoooanool 000000 Oooogal Mooooooowam @anni @mit 'WILLIAM HENRY cEovE, or PHILADELPHIA, 'IENNsYLvA-NIA- Leners PatentNo. 114,434, dated May 2, 1811.

IMPROVEMENT IN DRV-EARTH CLOSETS.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making prr: of the name.

I, WmnInM HENRY GROVE, of Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improved Dry-Earth Closet, of which the following is a. specification.

Nata-re and Object of the Invention.

My invention consists of an earth-closet, constructed in thev manner too fully explained hereafter to need preliminary explanation, with the view ofeifectually deodorizing the soil'byentirely inclosing it with dry closet; y

Figure 2, a vertical section of the lower portion of Figure 3, a plan view with the seat removed; .Figure 4, a transverse vertical section illustrating a modification of my invention; and

Figure 5, a sectional plan view of the same on the line .1 2, fig. 4.

General Description.

A represents a wooden box, to `which is hinged a lid, B, and in the bottom of which. is an opening, a, and beneath this opening is a smaller supplementary box, A', furnished with a slidingI drawer, O, or other suitable detachable receptacle. l

1u theinterior 'of the box A is a casing, D, of sheet- -iron or other suitable material, open at both ends, and

having its sides perforated with small holesv d, and contracted 'at the bottom, as shown in the drawing.

This casing D is surrounded by a larger casing, D', and is connected toV the former by a plate, e, whichk forms the bottom of the annular space 'E between the casings.

To pins projecting from the sides of the casing D', at the upper end of the same, arehung rollers f, which rest on ahorizontal partition in the box A, and which maintain the casings in their proper vertical positi i Directly beneath the casing D, and hung within t e opening a, is a 'valve or trap, b, which can be operated by rod b.

Above the casingsD and D', and resting on projections h h, g. 3, in the corners of the box A, is a removable seat, F, in which is a suitable opening, f', directly above the casing D.

To the under side cf the scat and surrounding the opening f is lattached an annular plate, H, in such a manner that it can be vinratcd laterally by means of a rod, h.

Forked arms la, secured to the ring H, extend downward into the annular space E, and the forks carry revolving knives or agitators 7c.

In preparing the closet for use the 'lid B is raised and thrown back, the seat F with lthe ring H removed, and. the annular space E lledto about half its capacity with dry powdered earth, or dry earth 'mixed with any other deodorizing substance, after which the lid' may be closed.

A vibrating motion is imparted, by means ofthe rod It', to the ring H, which, through the medium `of the arms It and knives k', agitatethe powdered earth contained in the space E, and distribute the same in limited quantities through the openings e in the casing D onto the trap b beneath.'

The same result may be attained morev rapidly by shaking 'the casings D and D'by means of the rod l,

The closet is now ready for receiving the soil, and after the latter has been deposited .ou the trap b, dry earth 'is again forced through the openings duntil the` soil is covered with same. The trap is then, by means of the rod b', tilted as seen in fig. 2, and the soil and-dry earth thereby deposited in the drawer or any other'suitahle receptacle. The soil is thus thoroughly inclosed with the dry earth, which completely deodorizes it, and the adhesion of any soil to the valve or trap is prevented.

Figs. 4 and represent a modification of my invention. In this case vthe casing D-s stationary, being supported and held in its proper place by an inclined partition, L, extending from the cylinder to theside of the box A, and resting on lugs or projections in the corner o'f thesame.

The casing D is perforated at its lower end with a series of holes, i.

Surrounding this casing is a second casing, D', which y is firmly secured at its upper end to the movable'seat` Hf the latter being so arranged that a horizontal vibrating motion may be imparted to it; .the said casing D' having at its lower end a perforated ange, t, to which are 'secured any` suitable number of vanes, knives, or brushes t.

A pan, S, or other suit-able receptacle, is placed within the box A beneath the casing D, which may be removed from the box, when desired,througl1 a doorway, R, in the side of the box.

The space N above the partition L between the casing D and the sides of-'the box A is filled with ne dryearth.

.After the closet has been used the seat H is vibrated and with it the casing D', and the vancs or brushes i agitate and force through the openings ithe dry earth contained in the space N onto. the deposit beneath. l

The, perfor-ations in the flange t and the inclined bottom to the spaceN tend to` keep a supply of dry earth directly in front of the vanes.

. I do not wish to confine myself to the arrangement 0f knives or anes, or the means by which dry earth contained in a space surrounding, the casing D may be caused to fail and cover the soil beneath, as various appliances may beA employed to e'ect the same objet.

The closet may be portable, as shown, or may be permanently arranged within or form part of a privy.

0' lai/ms.

1. An earth-closet, having beneath the seat a vertical casing perforated at the sides, and surrounded by an earth-chamber .in which varies or agitators may be lcaused to move, substantially as described.

l2. The mating easing, as set forth.

-In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

trap b arranged below the said W. H. GROVE.

Witnesses:

WM. A. STEEL, JN0. B. Hummm. 

